Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, at a media session after attending the Legislative Council meeting today (January 6):
 
Reporter: Mr Lee, what exactly is the legal basis and evidence for arresting all the 50 pro-democracy figures under the National Security Law? Is it now against the National Security Law to try to win the majority in LegCo and also to plan to veto Government Budget? Also, what do you say about the 600 000 people who voted in the "primary", did they also potentially violate the National Security Law?
                                                                                                                
Secretary for Security: First of all, the operation today targets the active elements who are suspected to have been involved in the crime of overthrowing or interfering, seriously destroying the Hong Kong Government's legal execution of duties. We are talking about taking action against the active elements. The operation today does not involve other non-active elements including those who voted in the so-called primary election. I have explained that the people involved are suspected of making use of what they called a "35-plus" plan and a "10-step mutual destruction scheme" to in some way paralyse the Hong Kong Government. They aimed to get 35 or more seats in the LegCo through something they have organised as a "primary", so that once they have achieved their goal, they will veto regardless of the actual content of the Government Budget, so as to create a situation that the Chief Executive has to resign and the Government stops functioning. This is to paralyse the Government. They have a "10-step mutual destruction plan" in which they will be mobilising mass-scale riots in streets together with other actions to in some way paralyse the society. Coupled with international sanctions, the plan is to create mutual destruction, so that the society as a whole, using their words "jump the cliff". The plot is to cause such mutual destruction that, if successful, this "10-step mutual destruction" plan will result in serious damage to society as a whole. That is why the Police's action today is necessary.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Issued at HKT 17:29

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